Free Family Safety Event Set For May 6Local coalition focusing on adult role models as part of National Safe Kids Week

Summer will soon be here, and the Lincoln-Lancaster County SAFE KIDS
Coalition encourages parents and other child care providers to take steps
to make this summer fun and trauma-free. The Coalition will host the
Ultimate SAFE KIDS Day from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, at SouthPointe
Pavilions.

Summer is often referred to as “trauma season” by health and medical
professionals. Deaths from unintentional injuries remain the leading cause
of death for children 14 years of age and younger in the U.S. and Lancaster
County.

“From 1999 through 2002, 16 local children ages 14 and younger died as a
result of an unintentional injury and about 18,000 were treated in
emergency rooms for unintentional injuries,” said Mayor Coleen J. Seng. “I
urge parents and children to attend the Ultimate SAFE KIDS Day to find out
more about how they can prevent injuries this summer and all year long.”

Mayor Seng today issued a proclamation declaring April 30 through May 7 as
SAFE KIDS Week in Lincoln. The Ultimate SAFE KIDS Day will include
activities and information on preventing the leading causes of accidental injury
in Lancaster County:
motor vehicle crashes, playground accidents, fire and sports and water
activity. This year, the coalition is emphasizing the influence of adults
as role models with the theme “Follow the Leader, Safety Starts with You.”

“We want to help parents, caregivers and other adults realize the
importance of displaying proper behavior and attitudes toward safety,” said
Brian Baker, Co-Chair of the local SAFE KIDS Coalition. “The behavior of
adults makes a big impression and helps persuade children to exhibit the
desired safety behaviors that they see first hand.” Baker said an example
is that 67 percent of children riding bikes with helmet-wearing adult wear
helmets. Only 50 percent of children riding bikes with non-helmeted adults
wear helmets.

For more information on the Ultimate SAFE KIDS Day, contact Brian Baker at
the Lincoln- Lancaster County Health Department at 441-8046 or see the City
Web site: lincoln.ne.gov (click on Health Department).